Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited three subjects for alleged oyster harvester violations on Dec. 28 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Madge Cortez, 61, Moyces Narciso Carlos, 48, and Mario Gomez, 41, all from Houma, for taking oysters from a polluted area. Cortez was also cited for violating lob book requirements.
Agents observed the three subjects around 1 p.m. harvesting oysters in Bayou Dominick. The Department of Health and Hospitals closed this area to oyster harvesting because it is currently a polluted area.
Agents seized 15 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Taking oysters from an unapproved polluted area brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Violating log book requirements carries a $25 fine and up to 10 days in jail.
Cortez could also face having her oyster harvester licenses revoked by LDWF for up to one year. She could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel that is equipped with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.